Thomas M. Anderson

Thomas McArthur Anderson, born in Chillicothe, Ohio on January 22, 1836, was a renowned figure in the United States Army. An alumnus of Chillicothe High School, he had a long and distinguished military career spanning several pivotal moments in American history.

Anderson graduated from Mount St. Mary's College in 1855 and earned an LL.B. degree from Cincinnati Law School in 1858. He practiced law in Newport, Kentucky from 1858 to 1861. However, the onset of the Civil War saw him enlist in the 6th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, eventually becoming a second lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Cavalry due to the influence of his uncle, Robert Anderson of Fort Sumter fame.

His service continued through the American Civil War, the American Indian Wars, and the Spanish–American War, earning him brevet promotions to major for the Wilderness in August 1864, lieutenant colonel for Spotsylvania in the same month and year, and eventually the rank of Major General. Beyond the Civil War, Anderson's career took him to Texas during the Red River War, Alaska during the Klondike gold rush, and the Philippines during the Spanish–American War.

In the Spanish–American War, Anderson was appointed brigadier general of U.S. Volunteers on May 4, 1898, leading the first "Philippine Expeditionary Force". His troops were the first to land in the Philippines following George Dewey's naval victory there. He later commanded the 2nd Division of the Eighth Army Corps under Major General Wesley Merritt.

Anderson passed away in Portland, Oregon, on May 8, 1917, and was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.

To find out more about Major General Thomas McArthur Anderson, please refer to his full biography on the Arlington National Cemetery and American Civil War History websites.